Editing Luke Skywalker (section)

==Creation and development==
===''Star Wars'' (1977)===
[[George Lucas]] considered various characterizations for the protagonist of [[Star Wars (film)|the original ''Star Wars'' film]].{{Efn|The film was originally titled ''Star Wars'', then later retitled ''Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope''.}} The possibilities included a 60-year-old grizzled war hero, a Jedi Master, a dwarf, and a woman.<ref name="Databank">{{cite web|title=Skywalker, Luke|url=https://www.starwars.com/databank/character/lukeskywalker/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907021501/http://www.starwars.com/databank/character/lukeskywalker/|archive-date=September 7, 2011|access-date=April 3, 2011|work=[[Star Wars Databank]]|publisher=StarWars.com}}</ref><ref>Lucas, George (2004). ''The Characters of 'Star Wars''', ''Star Wars Trilogy'' DVD. [[20th Century Fox Home Entertainment]]. Event occurs at 3:45.</ref> Luke's original surname was "Starkiller", and it remained in the script until a few months into filming. It was dropped due to what Lucas called "unpleasant connotations" with [[Charles Manson]], who became a "star killer" in 1969 when he murdered the well-known actress [[Sharon Tate]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serratore |first=Angela |date=July 25, 2019 |title=What You Need to Know About the Manson Family Murders |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/manson-family-murders-what-need-to-know-180972655/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=Smithsonian Magazine |language=en |archive-date=August 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818185908/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/manson-family-murders-what-need-to-know-180972655/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hedash |first=Kara |date=2020-02-18 |title=Star Wars: Here's Why George Lucas Changed Luke Skywalker's Original Name |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-george-lucas-luke-starkiller-skywalker-name-change/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |website=ScreenRant |language=en |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105023320/https://screenrant.com/star-wars-george-lucas-luke-starkiller-skywalker-name-change/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Lucas replaced the problematic name "Starkiller" with "Skywalker".{{Sfn|Rinzler|2008|p=191}}

===''Return of the Jedi'' (1983)===
An alternate ending to the film reportedly featured Luke disappearing into the wilderness "like [[Clint Eastwood]] in the [[Spaghetti westerns|spaghetti Westerns]]."<ref name="LostEnding">{{Cite web |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |date=2010-08-12 |title=Did 'Star Wars' become a toy story? Producer Gary Kurtz looks back |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/hero-complex-blog/story/2010-08-12/did-star-wars-become-a-toy-story-producer-gary-kurtz-looks-back |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123064813/https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/hero-complex-blog/story/2010-08-12/did-star-wars-become-a-toy-story-producer-gary-kurtz-looks-back |archivedate=January 23, 2024 |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

===''The Force Awakens'' (2015)===
Luke's lack of screen time in ''[[The Force Awakens]]'' was due to concerns by screenwriter [[Michael Arndt]] that his presence would distract from Rey, leading to an agreement that he be removed from the screen and instead become a [[plot device]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=December 20, 2015 |title=J.J. Abrams explains R2-D2's closing scene in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/12/20/jj-abrams-answers-burning-question-about-r2-d2-star-wars-force-awakens/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Keyes |first=Rob |date=2015-12-20 |title=Luke Skywalker's Role in Star Wars: The Force Awakens Explained |url=https://screenrant.com/star-wars-7-luke-skywalker-role-explained/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}</ref> Hamill attended meetings for script readings, and helped conceal Luke's role in the film; instead of dialogue, he read stage directions. According to director and co-writer [[J. J. Abrams]], this allowed Hamill to remain involved and his reading helped make a "better experience for everyone."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Breznican |first=Anthony |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Star Wars The Force Awakens: Mark Hamill's secret role in the table read revealed |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/04/04/star-wars-force-awakens-jj-abrams-mark-hamill-table-read/ |access-date=2024-05-29 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}</ref>